Expansion shield



H. W. PLEISTER. EXPANSION SHIELD. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 31. 1921.

" 33 Gum/141M3 Patented May 23, 1922.

earns HENRY W. rnnrs'rna, or wnsrrrnnn, nnw'zrnnsny, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE essmnrannrs, TOI-IENRY B. NEWHALL, on rnarnrrnnn, NEW-JERSEY.

EXPANSION SHIELD.

Specification of Letters Patent. lPZtt'QHtQtl WIHV 23, 1922 Application filed March 31,1921. Serial No. 457,264.

To all whom it mag concern Be it known that LIIENRY N. PLms'rER, a citizenof the United States, residing at lVestfield, in thecounty of Union and State of New Jersey, have made certain newand useful Improvements in Expansion Shields, of which the following is a specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to expansion bolts and-more particularly to the combination of ,an expansion shield and an escutcheon plate; andalso to the escutcheon plate and theexpansion shield as separate articles of manufacture.

My invention further-relates to such a combined expansion shield and escutcheon plate having a maximum .grip or hold in the wall or ceiling for a given size of expansion. an expansion shield the outer end of which lies substantially flush with the surface of the-wall or ceiling, and a removable escutcheon plate having interior locking means to cooperate-with locking means carried by the expansion shield.

My invention further relates to such a combined expansion shield and escutcheon plate in which the escutcheon plate is positivelylocked to the bolt anchor, orremovably secured to it. It furtherrelates to the bolt of the expansion shield operating the locking means carried by the escutcheon plate; and, also,to locking means not operated by the bolt.

My invention further relates to the combination of a cast expansion shield and a stamped sheet metal escutcheon plate having integral meansto-engage and hold the cast expansion shield.

My invention further relates to certain combinations, details of construction and articles of manufacture,which will be more fullyhereinafter :described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings the same reference numerals refer to similar partsin theseveral figures.

. Fig. 1 is a vertical section through a ceiling, wall, or other suitable support showing one form of my expansion bolt and escutcheon plate;

Fig 2 is a vertical section, similar to Fig. .1, showing the escutcheon plate permanently My invention -further relates to secured to the expansion after the fingers have been pressed radiallyby the bolt;

F 1g. 3 is a plan view. of. the inner. surface of the escutcheon plate;

Fig. l 1s a perspective view,.partly broken away, showing a modification in which the locking fingers have been enlarged to form practically a continuous inner flange;

Fig. 5 1s a fragmentary vertical section of a modification showing a different arrangement of attaching the escutcheon plate to the inner surface of: the neck of the ex pansion shield; the escutcheon plate being shown in its first attaching position;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section, similar to Fig. 5, showing the second attach mg position, the escutcheon plate being slightly eccentric to the longitudinal axis of the expansion shield. i

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical section similar to Fig. 6, showing the parts concentric; after the insertion of the bolt;

Flg. 8 is an end elevation of the expans1on shown in Figs. 5, Band 7 Fig, 9 is a side elevation of the escutcheon plate.

It has'been proposed to secure a removable cap or plate to an expansion bolt, the head of which is permitted to extend out of the opening in the wall or ceiling a sufiicient distance to become imbedded or seated in. and enclosed by, a hollow removable plate. Among other disadvantages this is objeo tionable inthat the expansion is not inserted its full length in the hole and therefore its effective expansion surface is materially lessened. To carry a given load a larger expansion is required than one in which the expansion bolt proper is inserted for its whole length within the hole. It is further objectionable in that it brings a powerful expansion force near the outer surface of the wall or ceiling which is apt to cause the surface or wall to crack around the hole,

requiring a larger plate than if the expanstronger expansion for a given size of expansion bolt, and also protecting the surface of the wall or ceiling from cracking or crumbling as the expansion force is applied to the expansion bolt. This permits me to use an escutcheon plate of the minimum size and therefore one requiring less metal and cheaper to manufacture. Being relatively small it is less obtrusive and enhances the appearance of the job.

In the drawing I have shown different embodiments of my invention used in connection with what is known in the trade as a machine expansion. It is to be distinctly understood, however, that any form of expansion may be used whether operated by a machine bolt, a lag screw or any other suitable means.

I have shown one form of my invention in Figs. 1, 2 and In these figures 1 is an expansion bolt of any suitable construction. For purpose of illustration, I have shown it as a machine expansion, having the two expansion shields 2 and 3, which are moved apart by a. wedge 4 carried on a nut 55. This nut has interior screw threads, which cooperate with the, screw threads upon the bolt 6. The expansion shields; 2 and 3 may be provided with parallel ribs 7, 7 to bite into the wall, though they may be omitted without departing from my invention, as any suitable form of shield may be used, provided it has throat 8 with an interior locking surface 9, which I preferably form as a groove.

To position my expansion bolt, a hole ll) is formed in the ceiling or wall 11 in any suitable manner and the expansion shields 2 and 3 are inserted their full length in said hole until their outer ends 12 become ap proximately flush with the surface 13 of the ceiling or wall. In some cases, if desired, the end 12 of the shields may be set baci in the hole 10. but not so far as to prevent the locking members. carried by the escutcheon plate 14;, fromcooperating with the groove 9 or similar engaging surface on the interior of the throat S.

Preferably the expansion 1 is formed of cast metal as is usual in the'art. For ease of manufacture, economy and beauty, I make the escutcheon plate 14 of stamped sheet metal. This stamped sheet metal. may be of some non-corroding material or it may be plated with nickel or any other material, so as to give a. handsome and finished effect to the job.

I I preferably provide the escutcheon plate 14 with a plurality of axially extending fingers 15. 15. In the forms shown in Figs. 1. 2 and 3. the ends 16, 16 of these fingers 15, 15 are spaced so that they can be readily passed into the axial bore of the expansion 1. They are formed of yielding metal and are permanently secured in the groove 9 by means of the bolt 6 passing through the axiai hole 17 of the escutcheon plate 14. This bolt (5 presses out the fingers 15, 15 and causes them to be positively locked in the groove 9 in the extension, Fig. 2. In this form of my invention, after the escutcheon plate 14-, has once been secured to the expansion, it cannot be readily removed,even after the'bolt 6 is withdrawn, for it is securely held to the expansion.

Of course, it is to be understood that the fingers 15, 15 may be multiplied, or that a continuous flange maybe used if found con venient or expedient. In Fig. 4, I have shown a modified form of escutcheon plate 18 in which the fingers have been multiplied to form practically a continuous inner flange 19 broken away at 20, for purposes of illustration, and split at 21, 21 to permit more ready bending upon the insertion of the bolt 6. i i

In Figs. 5 to 9, I have shown a modification of my invention, in which the escutcheon plate is not secured to the expansion shields by the insertion of the bolt 6; though the bolt serves to center the escutcheon plate with relation to the expansion shields, and prevents its disconnection or removal as long as the bolt is connected with the expansion.

In these figures the expansion shield 22 may be of any suitable construction having a neck 23 with an interior groove 24. In this form of my invention the neck 23 is notched at 25,26, Fig. 8. The escutcheon plate 27 is provided with fingers 28, 29, pre viously shaped to cooperate with the expansion shield. To position the parts the finger 99, for example, is inserted in the notch 26 and pressed over so as to permit the end 31 of the finger 28 to pass up through the notch 25 and get within the groove 24. in the'neck 23, see Fig. 6. In this position of the parts the escutcheon plate 27 is eccentric with the longitudinal axis of the expansion shield represented by the line 30, so, Fig. 6. l/Vhen the bolt 6 is inserted it causes the escutcheon plate to move slightly to the right in the position shown in Fig. 6, so as to make the end 31 of the finger 28 catch over the lip 32 of the groove 24. in which position it cannot be removed from the expansion shield until the parts are brought back into the position shown in Fig. 6; but they cannot assume that position as long as the bolt 6 is in the expan* sion shield 22.

My invention is adapted for universal application and is particularly useful for hangmg pipes on ceilings or walls, as for example. in automatic fire sprinkling installations. The pipe is supported by the bolt 6. It is particularly adapted to give the maximum hold or grip within the ceiling with the minimum size expansion, because the expansion is entirely seated within the hole in the ceiling. The expansion may be, if desired, moved slightly back from the surface of the ceiling to further insure that the maximum expansion will be well back in the hole, thereby reducing the liability of cracking or chipping the surface of the ceiling or wall around the hole. This enables me to use a small escutcheon plate and one which enhances the appearance of the job.

Having thus described this invention in connection with illustrative embodiments thereof, to the details of which I do not desire to be limited, what is claimed as new and what is desired to secure by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is 1. The combination in an expansion bolt of an expansion shield, the shield having a neck, an escutcheon plate, and means to conneot the escutcheon plate with the interior of said neck.

2. The combination of an expansion bolt having a neck, an escutcheon plate, and means to connect the escutcheon plate with the interior of said neck, a bolt, said bolt operating the means to connect the escutcheon plate and the expansion bolt.

The combination of an expansion bolt having a neck provided with an interior engaging surface to cooperate with and hold an escutcheon plate, and an escutcheon plate provided with means to cooperate with the engaging surface on the interior of said neck, a bolt, said bolt operating the engaging means between the escutcheon plate and the interior engaging surface on the neck of the bolt anchor.

4. The combination in an expansion bolt of an expansion shield provided with a neck having an interior groove to cooperate with and hold an escutcheon plate, and an escutcheon plate provided with means to be held in engagement with the interior groove in the neck of the expansion shield.

5. The combination of an expansion bolt having a neck, provided with interior engaging surface to permanently hold an escutcheon plate, and an escutcheon plate provided with means to be permanently held in engagement with the interior engaging sur faces of the neck, a bolt, said bolt serving to operate the means that positively and permanently hold the escutcheon plate to the interior of the neck.

6. The combination of an expansion bolt having a neck, an escutcheon plate provided with yielding locking means to cooperate with the neck, and a bolt, said bolt serving to bend the yielding locking means into engagement with the neck to lock the escutcheon plate and bolt anchor together.

7. The combination of an expansion boltformed of cast metal and an escutcheon plate formed from stamped sheet metal, and a bolt, said bolt being adapted to operate the integral locking means of the escutcheon plate to lock it to the cast metal expansion bolt.

8. The combination in an expansion bolt of an expansion shield provided with a neck having an interior groove to cooperate with and hold an escutcheon plate, and an escutcheon plate provided with fingers to be held in engagement with the interior groove in the neck of the expansion shield.

9. The combination of an expansion shield having a neck provided with an interior groove cut away to receive 'fingers on an escutcheon plate, an escutcheon plate having fingers to removably engage with said cutaway portion and said interior groove of the neck.

10. The combination of an expansion bolt provided with an interior groove, said groove being provided with notches to receive locking surfaces carried by an escutcheon plate, an escutcheon plate provided with locking surfaces to pass through said notches and engage in said groove.

HENRY W. PLEISTER.

Witnesses:

M. R. RYAN, E. J. Born. 

